riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Adair County Disaster Risk

Adair County, Oklahoma

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

54th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 77 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

60th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Adair County, Oklahoma

Adair's risk ranks slightly above US average

Adair County scores 53.82 on the national composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category but above the typical American county's exposure. This score reflects a mixed hazard profile where some risks exceed national norms while others remain manageable.

Safer than most Oklahoma counties

At 53.82, Adair ranks below Oklahoma's state average of 55.47, making it one of the safer counties in the state. This positioning reflects the county's relatively moderate exposure to the full range of natural disasters.

Adair sits in the middle of regional risk

Compared to neighboring counties, Adair's 53.82 score falls between safer areas like Blaine County (32.35) and higher-risk areas like Bryan County (74.55). Its wildfire risk of 90.62 stands out as notably elevated compared to nearby counties.

Wildfires and tornadoes dominate Adair's hazard mix

Wildfire risk scores 90.62—far exceeding the state average—making vegetation management and defensible space around structures critical priorities. Tornado risk at 66.16 is also significant, requiring sturdy shelters and awareness of seasonal storm patterns.

Prioritize wildfire and storm coverage

Adair residents should ensure comprehensive homeowner's insurance covers both wildfire damage and tornado/wind events, as these hazards pose the greatest threat. Consider additional flood insurance if you live in a designated flood zone, and evaluate your property's wildfire defensibility by clearing brush within 30 feet of structures.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Adair County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    66th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    60th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Adair County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Adair County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 54th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Adair County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Adair County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (60th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 91th percentile nationally, Adair County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Adair County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 66th percentile nationally means Adair County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Adair County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Adair County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Adair County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Oklahoma county average, with a 1.7-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Adair County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Adair County, OK?
Adair County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 54th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Adair County?
Adair County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), tornado (66th percentile), flooding (60th percentile), earthquake (44th percentile), hurricane (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Adair County risk compare to the Oklahoma average?
Adair County's composite risk percentile is 54th, compared to the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Adair County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Oklahoma.
Is Adair County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Adair County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Adair County is at the 60th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Adair County a safe place to live?
Adair County's composite risk score of 54th percentile is below the Oklahoma state average of 56th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.